Evan Baer and Jamison Minor split the Expert-class wins – Baer in the Open A class and Minor in the 450cc Sportsman class – at the final event of the East Coast Flat Track Series, held at Shippensburg Speedway. And in keeping with the weather-related problems that have plagued this series over the past two months, Mother Nature threw another curve to the first race they have run here on a Saturday night. The “slight” chance of a rain shower turned into a reality, starting after five heat races had been completed. The “slight” rain shower lasted for about half an hour, and things looked bleak. But after some heroic effects by the track crew, the track was skimmed of the slick top inch, and after three hours, and with a full moon rising, the track was ready and the next heat lined up.

Then the lights went out!

After allowing time for the lights to cool properly, the races finally resumed half an hour later. Even after all this, many said that the track was the best they have seen.

The first final was the 450cc Sportsman contest. Minor grabbed the lead and gradually pulled away from Baer, Dalton Gauthier, Jesse Long and Ryan Varnes. Long started moving forward, taking third going into turn three on the second lap and slipping under Baer in the same spot on lap five and the holding second to the end.

In the Open A final, Baer grabbed the lead from Rick Winsett, Long, Tristan Avery and Minor. Baer and Winsett put a few bikelengths on the others, with Winsett keeping close the entire distance. Avery, making an impressive debut with the big boys, stayed with Long through the end.

In the Open A final, Evan Baer (89) and Rick Winsett (11) finished first and second, respectively.

Avery ran away and hid from the rest of the 250cc Sportsman class, leaving Colton Smith, Roy Miller and Cameron Smith to wage a closely fought battle for second. Colton ended up as runner-up.

Cameron Smith scored his first double-win night on this evening, easily distancing himself from Austin Wherley and Chris Thomas for the 250cc B win. His win in the Open B final was more exciting, as the bike he’s ridden in the heat race, Dalton Gauthier’s Husky, had its clutch go out in the Open A final. He found a ride on Jason Cunningham’s Suzuki, and with no track time, he started on the penalty line and was in second, behind Jeremiah Johnson, off turn two at the start, with John Diem and Michael Slade behind. For the first half, Cameron got the feel of the bike, and then he pressured Johnson, finally finding the right spot off the final turn to just take the win at the line.

Cameron Smith (29) leads Jeremiah Johnson (21S) in the Open B final.

Tyler Scott again took his usual double win in the 50cc Chain and 65cc classes, lapping up to second-place rider Logan Eisenhard in the 50cc contest, but in the 65cc final he had a battle with Doug Cook, who led the opening lap but got a little too low in turn two on the second lap down in the slick stuff, and Scott got by, and he was not to be pressured again.

Tyler Scott (70) skirmishes with Doug Cook (78) in the 65cc contest.

Cook did win the 85cc class fairly easily later in the night.

Roy Miller and Evan Baer carried their close, bar-banging battle from the heat into the Open Twin final, this time with Miller taking and holding the lead the entire distance, with Baer just behind or beside him once in a while. Off the final turn, Baer slipped inside, but he came up a little short at the line.

Roy Miller (56) went wire to wire for the Open Twin win, despite a constant threat from Evan Baer (89).

Chris Thomas grabbed the 125cc lead from Chase Smith and Bronson Jackson. After a slow start, Smith took the lead at the end of the third lap.